The China-ASEAN Exposition is held in Nanning City, Guangxi Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China, and was first held in 2004 as per the initiative and requested of H.E. Wen Jiabao, Former Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China during the 7th China-ASEAN Summit, which was then welcomed by all ASEAN leaders. This exposition act as a forum for promoting trade, investment, economic activities, tourism, diplomatic relations, people exchange and serves as the strategic comprehensive economic cooperation between China and ASEAN. The China-ASEAN Exposition is held in cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministries of Commerce of the 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. China and ASEAN is going to be a “Country of Honor” to host the event in rotation based on the alphabetical order of the members. Currently, through the China-ASEAN Exposition, the relations between China and ASEAN have reached a peak and are moving toward a new era of sharing business opportunities and mutual benefits under the free trade framework between China and ASEAN.
Cambodia’s participation in the China-ASEAN Exposition from year to year led to an increased number of Cambodian companies, businesspeople and traders. Cambodia participates in this event every year and gains support from Chinese leaders, Cambodian products have also been recognized in international markets. In conjunction, some Cambodian companies have increasingly taken thier ownership through participation in this event. Furthermore, Cambodia’s fine arts and culture have also been promoted through their performances and exhibited at its national pavilion.
Cambodia has displayed its products in terms of agriculture, production, technology, innovation, regional cooperation, science, and general services to create trade and investment partnerships with Chinese business people.
Why should Cambodian participate in the China-ASEAN Exposition?
- It is a forum for comprehensive joint cooperation between China and ASEAN and between China and Cambodia individually.
- It reflects the equivalence of image, rights and parity of Cambodia in all regional and international affairs.
- To promote the potential products from Cambodia.
- To seek export markets for Cambodian products and promote the ownership of the private sector to access international networks.
- To attract foreign investment to Cambodia through the organizing business forums and trade talk.
- Promote good cooperation in the economic and business sectors, diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, and between Cambodia and the other regional countries, in particular those in ASEAN.
- Disseminate Cambodian culture and civilization in the international pavilion.
During the Expo period, Cambodia attended the trade and investment forums organized by the Chinese side to obtain new information and opportunities to personally negotiate with its trade and investment partners to exchange and extend their business activities. At that time, Cambodia organized a business investment and tourism forum, and contract signing ceremony between Chinese and Cambodian companies. To attract visitors, Cambodia built a national pavilion on an area of 180 square meters and have been selected the capital/provinces as a city of Charm in rotation. Cambodia has also build a commond house in a size of 36 square meters follow by Khmer Style and over 100 commercial booths on each participation of the CAEXPO to create a trade forum for Cambodian companies to partner with Chinese and ASEAN businesspeople. From 2004 to 2019, Samdech Techo Hun Sen Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia attended the CAEXPO on 11 times.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative of the Chinese Government, the China-ASEAN Exposition plays a key role in coordinating the comprehensive cooperation between Cambodia and China. In this regard, China and Cambodia will work together more closely to reach the goal and achieve the trade expension to 10 billion US dollars in 2023. Currently, Cambodia has exported some potential agricultural products to Chinese markets, such as milled rice, bananas, mangos, cassava, and corn, and is requesting the Chinese side to accelerate the negotiations over phytosanitary and quarantine protocols on some other agricultural products to achieve the signing of agreements for the export of longan, pineapple, durian, dragon fruit, pepper, cashews, ground coffee, sugar, coconut and bird’s nests. Cambodia will still support and continue to participate in the China-ASEAN Exposition in the subsequent years and will endeavor to export Cambodia’s quality products during its attendance at this event.
Cambodia’s Participation in the 15th CAEXPO 2018 in Nanning, Quangxi, China
As a Country of Honor for the second time, it was with honor that Samdech Techo Prime Minister led Cambodian delegation to attend the grand opening ceremony of “the 15th CAEXPO 2018 and the 15th Anniversary of CAEXPO, and the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relation between Cambodia-China”. The 15th CAEXPO 2018 was officially opened on September 12, 2018 presided over by Samdech Akka Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and H.E. HAN ZHENG, Deputy Prime Minister of China. The 15th CAEXPO 2018 was held under the theme of “Jointly Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Forging A China-ASEAN Community of Innovation” focusing on economic, trade and investment cooperation projects such as agriculture, industry, construction, finance, technological and communication sectors and showcasing consumer products, machineries, technologies, services, regional cooperation, business and investment forums, international trade, economic, tourism and diplomatic cooperation, and cultural exchanges as well as regional trade and investment promotion.
National Pavilion of Cambodia was built on a total area of 304 square meters (16m x 19m) with the view of Kampong Thom Province as City of Charm in accordance with the theme of expo. The pavilion was designed as an ancient era of Sambo Preykuk with fascinating images of Sambo Preykuk and Angkorwat Temples. We also prepared a stage for artists’ performance in the middle of pavilion as well potential products displays such as agriculture, agro-industry, handicrafts, investment projects, and tourism promotion materials…etc.
The commodity hall of Cambodia was arranged with dimension of 45m x 60m which could make 145 commercial booths including a common house of 6m x 6m, designed follow Khmer architecture style with various products display. The commodities hall was officially opened on September 12, 2018 by Samdech Techo Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. There were a total of 99 Cambodian companies and enterprises participating in the event, segmented in different sectors consisting of 47 booths of agriculture, 23 booths of handicrafts, 37 booths of services and investment projects, 23 booths of food and beverages, and 14 booths of jewelry. There were a total of 397 Cambodia exhibitors and 35 Cambodian trade visitors participating this 15th CAEXPO 2018.
Tourism and Investment Promotion Forum
In cooperation with Quangxi government, Quangxi’s Department of Commerce and CAEXPO Secretariat, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia organized Trade, Tourism and Investment Promotion Forum entitle “Investment Opportunity and Tourism in Cambodia” presided over by H.E. CHHUON DARA, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, and H.E.YAN ZHICHAN, Vice Governor of Quangxi Province in the afternoon on September 13, 2018. The forum aimed to promote business’s opportunity in Cambodia to Chinese and foreign investors and tourists who wished to invest and visit Cambodia in order to enhance more FDI and strengthen economic, trade and diplomatic cooperation as well as friendship between Cambodia and China. The forum was attended by around 500 participants. During the forum, 12 MOU with a total value of around 80 million USD were signed between Cambodian and Chinese companies related with human resources development, mission exchanges, economic, trade and tourism cooperation.
Post-Event Evaluation Meeting
Before closing the Expo, the committee organized a Senior Officials Meeting to evaluate the outcome of the event and prepare a plan for the following year. The representatives of each member state of ASEAN and China actively participate in the meeting by raising their concerns, comments and suggestions to make the event even better. As a result, the meeting was concluded successfully with favorable outcomes and each member state of ASEAN was presents various awards.
Cambodia received for awards as below:
- Country of Honor
- Best Trade Visitor Arrangement
- Best National Pavilion
- Best Exhibition Arrangement
Cambodia’s Participation in the 16th CAEXPO 2019 in Nanning, from September 21-24, 2019
The Ministry of Commerce: The 16th CAEXPO 2019 was held under the theme of “Building Belt & Road Routes, Realizing Our Vision for A Community of Shared Future” focusing on economic, trade, and investment cooperation projects such as agriculture, industry, construction, finance, and technological communication sectors and showcasing consumer products, machineries, technologies, services, regional cooperation, business and investment forums, international trade, economic, tourism and diplomatic cooperation, and cultural exchanges as well as regional trade and investment promotion.
The 16th CAEXPO 2019 was official opened on September 21, 2019 presided over by H.E. HAN ZHENG, Deputy Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China. For Cambodia, H.E. HOR NAMHONG, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia delivered speech. After the opening ceremony, H.E. HOR NAMHONG was cordially invited to be a guest of honor for the MOU signing ceremony on Cooperation on Human Resource Development and Training in Tourism Sector between the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, represented by H.E. THONG KHON, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, and College of Software of Henan Normal University and Guangxi Second Light Industry Senior Technical School, and Guangxi Hansi Education Investment Co., Ltd.
National Pavilion of Cambodia was built on a total area of 180 square meters (9m x 20m) with the view of Kampot Province as City of Charm in accordance with the theme of event. The pavilion was designed as an ancient era of Chatomok with fascinating images of Bokor National Park, Sre Ambel, and other eco-tourism sites in Kampot as well as potential products displays such Kampot pepper, fleu de sel, rice, agriculture, handicrafts, investment projects, and tourism sites in Kampot.
The commodity hall of Cambodia was arranged with dimension of 45m x 60m which could make 145 commercial booths including a common house of 6m x 6m, designed in Khmer architecture with various products display. The hall was officially opened by H.E. HOR NAMHONG, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. There were a total of 99 Cambodian companies and enterprises participating in the event, segmented in different sectors consisting of 41 booths of agriculture, 35 booths of handicrafts, 28 booths of services and investment projects, 22 booths of food and beverages, and 19 booths of jewelry, accounted for 28%, 24%, 19%, 15% and 13% respectively. There were a total of 386 Cambodia exhibitors and 35 Cambodian trade visitors participating this 16th CAEXPO 2019.
Tourism and Investment Promotion Forum:
In cooperation with Quangxi government and CAEXPO Secretariat, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia held Tourism and Investment Promotion Forum entitle “Cambodia, a destination for Chinese investors and tourists” presided over by H.E. CHHUON DARA, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, representative of H.E. PAN SORASAK, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia and H.E. HANG DAO Wei, Deputy Secretary of CCP and Deputy Chief of Quangxi Zhaung in the afternoon on September 22, 2019. The forum aimed to promote business potentials in Cambodia to Chinese and foreign investors and tourists who wished to invest and visit Cambodia in order to enhance more FDI and strengthen economic, trade and diplomatic cooperation as well as friendship between Cambodia and China. The forum was attended by around 400 participants.
Participation in side-line events:
During the side-line events, H.E. PAN SORASAK, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia led delegation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Cambodian trade visitors to attend and deliver speech in the China-ASEAN Business Leader Forum focus on Finance, E-commerce, Logistics, and Construction at Grand Metropark Nanning. H.E Minister also assigned representatives to attend other related events as bellows:
- Building a connectivity between Commercial counselors of Embassies of ASEAN to China and Chinese Bankers and Investors at Nanning Mingdo Lakeside.
- ASEAN Renminibi Forum
- The 5th China-ASEAN Summit for Drug Development and Cooperation
- Participation in side-line events
Post-Event Evaluation Meeting
Before closing the Expo, the committee organized a Senior Officials Meeting to evaluate the outcome of the event and prepare a plan for the following year. The representatives of each member state of ASEAN and China actively participate in the meeting by raising their concerns, comments and suggestions to make the event even better. As a result, the meeting was concluded successfully with favorable outcomes and each member state of ASEAN was presents various awards. Cambodia was awarded a Best Pavilion Arrangement in accordance with the theme statement of the even.
CAEXPO is an annual and important event for the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia. As a Chair of Inter-Ministerial Committee to participate in the International and World Expos, the Ministry of Commerce will continue to participate the following CAEXPOs.
Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, Cambodia virtually participated in the 17th CAEXPO from November 27-30, 2020 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhaung, PRC
The 17th CAEXPO 2020 was held from November 27-30, 2020 in Nanning, Quangxi Zhaung, China under the theme of “Jointly Building the BRI, Invigorating Digital Economy” focusing on the showcase of consumer goods, agricultural, and technological products, science & technology, general services, regional cooperation, business and investment forums, international trade, economic, tourism and diplomatic cooperation, and cultural exchanges as well as regional trade and investment promotion. By taking turn in alphabetical order, Laos served as the country of honor of this 17th CAEXPO 2020 after Indonesia which was honored last year.
The 17th CAEXPO 2020 was officially opened on November 27, 2020 under the presidency of H.E. XI JINPING, President of The People’s Republic of China and other top leaders of ASEAN. During the opening, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia delivered recorded speech via video for Cambodia.
Due to the uncertainty of Covid-19 and to prevent it from spreading, no foreign trade delegation was invited to attend the event on site except local or international exhibitors and visitors who were based in China and no national pavilions were set up as usual. For Cambodia delegation head, only Cambodian ambassador to China and diplomats were invited to participate in various activities on site. The Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia permitted 16 Cambodian companies taken 53 booths to attend the 17th CAEXPO 2020.
During the 17th CAEXPO 2020, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia built a Common House with a dimension of 9m x 9m with Khmer-style design to showcase Cambodian products and permitted Cambodian companies to display various exhibits including:
- Agricultural products 18 booths accounted for 38%
- Services and Investment projects 24 booths accounted for 48%
- Food and Beverages 2 booths accounted for 4%
- Handicraft 5 booths accounted for 9%
Despite difficult situation, Cambodia has still spared their efforts to recruit qualified Cambodian enterprises to participate in the event to showcase Cambodian products. This effort has been wholeheartedly complemented by the organizing committee of CAEXPO for making it possible during hard time. Due to the fact that CAEXPO is an important annual event, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Participation in the International and World Expos will continue participating in the following CAEXPOs invited by the committee.
